Listen: BBC’s Peston flails when asked about Murdoch party


by Sunny Hundal    
10:33 am - July 18th 2011

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The BBC’s Business Editor Robert Peston was ‘innocently’ asked this morning by Radio 5 Live’s Nicky Campbell about his attendance at the Elizabeth Murdoch party a few weeks ago.

Robert Peston laughs uncomfortably, and then says the party took place before the Milly Dowler revelations came out – which is true. But Mr Peston must surely have been aware that the phone-hacking scandal was an important issue before the Dowler revelations came out.

If not, then he has failed as a journalist and if yes, that is a serious error of judgement, isn’t it?

Listen
Peston asked about Murdoch party (mp3)

via @leohickman

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About the author
Sunny Hundal is editor of LC. Also: on Twitter, at Pickled Politics and Guardian CIF.
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Reader comments


1. Squelch

“…if yes, that is a serious error of judgement, isn’t it?”

no, not really. Don’t misunderstand me – I’m thoroughly enjoying seeing the Murdoch press swinging in the breeze, but does anyone seriously think similar practices haven’t been rife throughout Fleet Street? Peston’s only another journalist – he has no duty to shun NI because of this stuff, any more than, say, Jeremy Clarkson does.

Its a different story for officers at the Met and members of the government, of course.

2. Cherub

Private Eye have said that Peston is a good mate of David Yelland and gets some of the insider stories about NI from him.

3. damon

Of course it’s not a serious error of judgement. He’s a journalist. You expect him to go to such things so he can report on them and be an all around more informed journalist.

Would you say that journalists shouldn’t be reporting from Tripoli, Burma, Saudi Arabia or wherever? And it was only a party.

4. douglas clark

I seem to recal one of the Millibands being asked about attendance at a Murdoch clan soireé or wedding feast in the last month or two.

Does anyone else recall this?

It seems to me that journalists may have an excuse, deep throat type stuff. It is really really hard to see politicians as much more than lickspittles when it comes to attendance at whopping Wapping doo’s, dontcha think? Bending knees to the power of the press, mayhaps?

I admit it, I have overdosed on George RR Martin.

5. Tim J

I admit it, I have overdosed on George RR Martin

It’s only time to worry when you find out that Rebekah Brook’s head has been sewn onto Rupert Murdoch’s torso.

6. Cari

They all live in their own world and mingle together in their own world.

7. Sunny Hundal

but does anyone seriously think similar practices haven’t been rife throughout Fleet Street?

And they should be investigated! I’m not sure what kind of defence that is…

8. Squelch

“And they should be investigated! I’m not sure what kind of defence that is…”

Agreed, and let’s hope the Mail’s next under the microscope. But its not about providing a defence for Peston (or any other journalist). Judge him by what he writes, and if his personal connections to the ‘Chipping Norton set’ skew his professional judgement then come down on him like a ton of bricks. Until then he really doesn’t have a case to answer.

9. Hengist

Not sure as I agree with you Sunny. He’s a journalist not a decision maker, he has to make contacts and thats his explanation. The decision makers that were there have some questions to answer perhaps , Prince of Darkness himself I see.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2015563/Elisabeth-Murdoch-threw-party-Camerons-cronies-hours-beofre-Milly-Dowler-scandal.html

10. dhopesmith

can’t see an issue with this unless as a result Pesto’s stories or balance has been unduly influenced.

11. Daphne

He’s a journalist doing his job, and that includes going to parties to schmooze contacts for stories. I’m usually a fan of LC, but this is just stupid – you know how journalism works, or if you don’t, you should. Peston is tremendously well-connected and also very well liked and respected by many of those who know him, especially by those who have worked for him. If his stories were in any way biased then there’d be a case to answer, but they aren’t: all his stories on NI have been, as far as I can tell, absolutely straightforward.


Reactions: Twitter, blogs
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  34. realinformatik

    jeez @peston excuses self at party b/c Liz #Murdoch & M Freud hosted not RM or #NewsIntl http://t.co/973w50y talk about #disingenuous!

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  52. Paul Kershaw

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  53. RottenBoroughs

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  54. RottenBoroughs

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  55. RottenBoroughs

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  56. tom jamieson

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  57. tom jamieson

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  59. nobby-Lobby

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  68. JamieSW

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  70. Jack Seale

    I may be wrong (and he does "flail") but surely there's something in Peston's excuse about journos picking up info? http://bit.ly/q1BMSH

  71. Jan Buxton

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